American Physical Therapy Association Presents Robert G. Dicus Award to PTPN President Michael Weinper, MPH, PT.

Health/Medical Writers

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 24, 2000

The Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has selected Michael Weinper, MPH, PT, president and co-founder of PTPN, the oldest and largest independent rehabilitation network in the United States, as recipient of this year's Robert G. Dicus Award.

The award, which acknowledges exceptional contributions to the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, will be presented on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Private Practice Section's Annual Conference Award Banquet in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Named for the first chairman of the formerly named Self-Employed Section of the APTA, the Robert G. Dicus award recognizes a Private Practice Section member whose personal, professional, educational and community contributions are of an extraordinary nature.

"The Dicus award is the highest honor bestowed upon a section member, and it's especially meaningful because the nomination comes from one's peers," said Lisa Wade, chief executive officer of the APTA Private Practice Section. "Michael has demonstrated exceptional commitment to rehabilitation professionals in private practice and has fostered in his colleagues an attitude of professional responsibility in meeting the health needs of the people served by the profession."

"I'm very proud to be recognized by the Private Practice Section," said Weinper. "I've been in private practice for over 25 years, and I have to say that this is one of the highlights of my career. I knew and admired Robert Dicus, as well as past recipients of this award, and am honored to be in such distinguished company. In 1985, my goal in starting PTPN was to capture the burgeoning managed care marketplace for independent therapists. Little did I realize that, 15 years later, PTPN would be the deciding factor in the survival of so many private practices. I am both pleased and overwhelmed that, together with the help of other farsighted therapists, we were able to have such a large, positive impact on the profession."

Weinper has four rehabilitation clinics in Southern California, and founded PTPN with his partner Fred Rothenberg in 1985. A leader in the American Physical Therapy Association for many years, Weinper has held numerous offices and committee appointments within the APTA, was appointed to the Physical Therapy Subcommittee of the California Division of Workers' Compensation, and served as an expert witness to the Medical Board of California. Additionally, Weinper is a noted writer and speaker whose views on health care have appeared in numerous national media, including print, television and radio.

Since 1985, PTPN has led the rehabilitation industry in pioneering national contracting, capitation, and outcomes management programs. The network has more than 1,000 member offices (including physical, occupational and speech therapists) throughout the U.S., and contracts with most of the major managed care organizations in the nation: insurers, workers' compensation companies, PPOs, HMOs, medical groups and IPAs. Only offices that are owned and operated by rehabilitation therapists can be members of the network.

PTPN has networks in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia.